The Legislative assembly to the convention

The Legislative assembly to the convention. Includes: the formation of the legislative assembly, political factions, the campaign for war, France at war (1792), the fall of the monarchy, the september massacres, the formation of the convention, the impact of the commune on the convention and historian's views.

Review of key reforms

2. all émigrés who did not return to France by 1st January 1792 would forfeit property and be regarded as traitors.

Why did the LA ultimately fail?

War with Austria began 1792

Disagreement between factions

Fall of monarchy- king fled to protection of LA after attack on Tuilerries

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France at War- Reasons why

Reasons why

Leopold II of Austria wrote to Louis in December 1791 demanding that all reforms since August 1789 be reversed--> tensions

Note caused debate which ended in a decree that anyone who cooperated with a foreign concert was a traitor- this made negotiations impossible.

January 1792-> decree passed accusing Austrians of breaking treaty of 1756 and inciting European powers to create a concert-> instructed Louis to gain assurances from Leopold that he was peaceful- If not sufficiently met by March then war would be declared- Leopold unlikely to concede.

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Brissotin Campaign for war

Brissotin Campaign for war

Brissot believed war would rouse enthusiasm for revolution and show permanence of new regime.

Saw promising international situation as European powers were unlikely to unite against France- Russia vs. Poland and Prussia likely to support France.

Brissot sought war as it would force King into open and expose traitors.

Gained Lafayette's support as he saw it as a chance to strengthen power.

Robespierre's Opposition to Campaign

Believed opponents of revolution weren't a threat as they lacked popularity.

Made speeches in Jacobin club- became isolated/ unpopular

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Final build up to war

Final Build up to war

February 1792- Prussia and Austria became allies after Leopold was replaced by francis I who had a more radical foreign policy.

French declared war on 20th April 1792--> hoped to fight Austria alone but Prussia also declared war a month later.

Girondins held responsible after failures in war and Dumouriez defected

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Fall of monarchy

Attack on Tuileries and formation of revolutionary commune

9th August 1792- sections summonded three representatives from each section to Hotel de ville- established commune led by people like Hébert

10th August 1792- column comprised of national guard and fédérés marched on Tuileries. Royal family fled to LA protection. National guard joined attackers. King order swiss cease fire and massacre occured.

Importance

symbolised sans-culotte rejection of LA/ monarchy- king suspended and fate left to convention

led to invasion of LA- forced to recognise revolutionary commune

forced deputies to hand over king to commune- imprisoned in Temple

Assembly forced to agree to election of convention for new constitution.

Revolutionary commune now in control of paris- rest of france still under LA

September massacres of 1792

September massacres of 1792

Lafayette fled to Austrians after attempting to turn army of paris and failing

Rumours that aristocrats and priests would escape prison and attack citizens when Prussian army neared. Also rumours they would free criminals to massacre patriots- Marat called for conspirators to be killed.

When Verdun, last fortress on way to Paris, fell commune issued call to arms

sans culottes started massacres 2nd september for five days

Neither LA nor commune tried to stop them

After effects

overshadowed first meeting of convention

Deputies rallied to Girondins

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Formation of the Convention

Formation of the Convention

All men over 21 able to vote in elections at end of August to september 1792